Building Racial Awareness: A Reflection on Socialization & Race

Friday, Dec. 8
6-7:15PM ET

virtual event; open to Girls Write Now mentor, staff, and peer-to-peer mentees. Required for mentors

In today’s rapidly evolving and complex world, it is imperative that mentors and professionals understand the concept of race and the origin of racism in the United States. Throughout our lives, we have absorbed racist messages all around us. From loved ones to TV shows, we have learned stereotypes and stories rooted in harmful racist messages. To address this critical issue, we ask you to join us in unpacking our past, and present, to explore the racist messages that live within us and empower ourselves with essential knowledge and
insights to combat racism. 

This comprehensive Mentor Professional Development session will engage mentors with a reflective process and practice in self-awareness while giving them the tools and knowledge to work to combat their own harmful thoughts and behaviors. Experienced facilitator, Elise Jayakar, will guide us through the historical context of race and its implications, examining how these ideas have shaped societal norms and individual beliefs. We will engage in self-reflective activities to identify our own racial socialization and explore how our upbringing, experiences, and surroundings have influenced our perspectives on race. By understanding how racism operates in the world and within our minds, and diving into the mechanics of systemic and individual racism, we will enable ourselves to critically assess and challenge our biases. 

This session will provide a supportive space for individuals to explore, reflect, and grow. Together, we will embark on a journey of self-discovery, intellectual growth, and expanded social consciousness. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your mentorship, professional, and personal skills.